Array
(
[text] =>

"Do you want it straight or curly? Personally I'd go with straight but it's up to you."

I knew it wasn't really up to me because whatever Eliana wanted, Eliana got. She was my best friend for reasons I cherished, but she could be quite a handful. Especially when she had her mind set on something.

"So go with straight," I shrugged.

Her dark brown eyes met mine in the mirror and she smirked. "Faye, you are allowed to choose how your hair should be styled."

"Fine. I want it curly."

"Of course you do," she mumbled, baby pink hair falling softly down her shoulders.

Sometimes I dreamt of being more like her; bold, daring, outgoing and straightforward. I would never even consider dyeing my hair a different color than the one I was born with, much less learn how to put on false eyelashes like she did on a daily basis. Although that might had to do with the fact that my dad would kill me if he saw me wear more makeup than mascara and some lipgloss.

But despite my strict father, I did like safe. I liked the way I was raised. I saw nothing wrong with wanting to do good in life. Something that came from planning things thoroughly, hard studying and proper behavior. I had a hard time letting go of the need to have control over things and accept whatever life threw at me.

Let's say Eliana was my complete opposite and from time to time I wondered why she even was friends with me.

"Can we do something fun tonight?" she asked now, twirling a strand of my hair around the curling iron. "Not just watch movies and eat popcorn. It's Friday after all."

"Like what?"

"I heard Evan is throwing a huge party tonight," she casually offered.

My eyes snapped up to meet hers again. "I doubt I would be allowed to go."

Eliana smiled. "We don't have to tell your parents, just say you're spending the night here as usual. Mom hardly cares and won't rat you out."

"I don't know, Eli. . ." The thought of a party made me uneasy and slightly nauseous. Not so much the party itself but more what would happen if my dad found out I went.

"Please? You know my brother will be back home any minute now and I bet he's going there too. He used to be friends with Evan and if I know him right, he won't miss a party. We can go there with him, if that makes you feel better."

Her older brother Miles who had been away for nearly five years was moving back today. For some reason that was beyond me, he had decided to grace everyone in the city of Pasadena with his presence again. I didn't remember much about him other than his intimidating persona and rowdy behavior.

At the age of fifteen, he had managed to get himself in more trouble than any other fellow peer of his. I could recall times when his parents had waited up all night for him to get home from unknown locations, only to desperately yell at him while Eliana and I had stayed hidden in her bedroom.

When their parents finally got the divorce that had been a long time coming and their father announced he was moving back to England, they decided to send Miles with him to attend a boarding school in the outskirts of Newcastle.

"I don't know," I sighed. "You know I'm not really into the whole party scene."

"Come on, you need to live a little," she pleaded with doe eyes. "I promise we'll leave if you find it unbearable."

"Are you even sure your brother is going there?" Not that the thought of his company made me feel any better. Perhaps boarding school had taught him a thing or two but what I remembered of him was how often he used to get into fights.

Eliana scoffed and pulled a hand through her hair. "If I know my brother, he'll merely find time to put his luggage away before he's on his way again."

"Figures." I rolled my eyes. "Let me think about it for a while, okay?"

"Fine. Don't take too long."

"Will you drink if we go?"

"Probably, will you?" She expectantly raised her eyebrows but she already knew the answer.

"Not likely." I shuddered when I thought of the first time I had been drunk. "Didn't end that well last time."

"You need practice," she chuckled.

I chose to ignore that statement. "I'm nervous about college," I admitted instead.

She scoffed and momentarily stilled her movements. "You are aware we have to suffer through another whole year of high school before it's time to worry about that."

"I know, I just–"

"Yes, your dad wants you to be prepared and is constantly nagging you about it, blah blah blah. I know. But you know what? Fuck that, fuck him and his military shit. I'm tired of him constantly holding you back. You're 17 for crying out loud, not five!"

"I know, trust me. I'm starting to grow tired of it as well. But that doesn't mean I'm going to get drunk every weekend and stop paying attention in school. I still want to go to Harvard."

"Harvard," Eli sneered. "Is that what you want or what your beloved father wants?"

"Both probably." I shrugged. "I mean, Brown seems so much nicer if you ask me but–"

"No buts!" she interrupted once more. "If you want to apply to Brown, you apply to Brown. If you get accepted, he should be freaking over the moon with joy. It's a great school."

"You're right," I said, mostly to get her off my back. I wished things were as easy as she made them seem. But then again she hadn't been raised the way I had.

"I feel like I want to do something wild tonight," Eliana exclaimed, blatantly changing subjects.

I huffed, giving her a dubious glint. "And what would that be?"

"I don't know, drugs?"

"You're joking, right?" I said.

"Maybe? I mean, something needs to happen, don't you think? I'm getting sick of doing the same things every single weekend. This boring place offers nothing out of the ordinary," she whined while pulling and tugging at my hair.

I hissed and shot her a scowl. "I honestly don't think doing drugs will get you anywhere."

"What do you suggest we do then? Besides hang out here and watch old movies and stuff our faces with popcorn or ice cream."

"I'm the walking definition of boring, I won't be of much help in the that department."

"Oh please, Faye. Stop being dramatic. You're not boring at all; if you were I wouldn't be friends with you. You're just. . ."

". . .lame," I quickly finished.

"Christ, what is up with you tonight? You're not lame. I mean you might be a bit reserved and you value routines and stuff like that. . . But you're also smart, pretty damn gorgeous and I know you have it in you to go a little crazy. Only embrace it. I bet you'll be a natural at doing acid."

I snorted and picked up a tube of dark red lipstick. "Yeah? Just like I'm a natural at putting on lipstick? Remember my clown face the last time I tried."

Eliana laughed and nicked the little object from my hand. "That easily taught."

"Well, I assure you I won't be trying out my latent talents with acid or other drugs any time soon. I'm sorry, but I don't think I can be your friend if you're seriously considering things like that. It gives me a really bad vibe."

"Chill out, I'm just joking around. Alcohol will do for now." She picked up a bottle of hairspray and began to coat my hair with a sheer layer. "And the occasional cigarette."

"Ew." I wrinkled my nose. "You should stop, you know. It'll kill you."

"Well aware of that," she informed. "You're all done. And this talk of smoking got me in the mood for one. Follow me outside?"

"No, thanks. You'll be fine on your own."

"Faye! You're acting ridiculous, just come–"

Suddenly the bedroom door burst open and hit the wall with a dull thud, making us both freeze and whip our heads in the direction. I frowned as I stared at the guy who stood there staring at us with an amazed glint to his dark eyes. A smirk spread across his lips as he studied us and for some reason, a blush crept over my cheeks.

Eliana let out a high-pitched squeal and ran over to throw her arms around his neck. "Miles! I can't believe it's you! You look so different and grown-up!"

"It's good to see you too, Eliana." He snickered and hugged her back, but then his eyes wandered over to me and settled there. Unwavering and bold, they made me too conscious of what I might look like.

I felt relieved when he decided to focus on Eliana again. I normally didn't bother with guys as much as the other girls in my class did. I had never cared much about them considering the ones in my grade were mostly rude or childish. And I definitely didn't allow them to affect me by making me blush or feel self-conscious.

But apparently that didn't apply to Miles. At least not the Miles standing in the doorway right now.

I remembered him like a disobedient, moody teenage boy complete with acne covered cheeks and hair that had been neglected showers for too long. I had to remind myself that was five years ago, that he was closer to twenty now and not fifteen like when he left.

He had grown much taller and all the imperfections had vanished, giving place to velvety-looking smooth skin and a strong body. His jawline was sharp and cheekbones high, his dark brown hair cut in a way that made it look like he just got out of bed.

Black ink was jotted down his arms in various shapes and forms I couldn't make out from my distance, some even visible through the thin material of his white shirt. I wondered if it hurt getting them done and what my dad would say if I suddenly got one.

Miles cleared his throat. "And who's your friend, Eliana?"

My eyes immediately snapped up to his face and I wanted to melt into a puddle of nothing when I understood he had caught me staring.

"It's Faye, you idiot!" she scolded and swatted his arm. "You remember her, don't you?"

"Faye," he slowly repeated, looking like he genuinely tried to remember who I were.

"That's me," I mumbled and forced a shaky smile. "It's nice to see you again."

He was quiet for a couple of seconds before giving me a soft smile. "I couldn't agree more."

I glanced at Eliana for help, noticing she studied her brother with her head cocked to the side and eyes slightly narrowed. But then her head turned back to me and a smile grew on her face. "Introductions made. Let's discuss Evan's party."

"There's no fucking party, not for you anyway," Miles scorned his sister's eager will to drink alcohol.

"Miles, come on! I'm soon eighteen and you don't know me that well. You better accept that I like to party sooner rather than later because I plan to do it a lot this summer."

"Fuck no, Eliana. It's not happening. At least not at my friends' parties."

"You know I'll follow you anyway if you don't let me come," she persisted, ever as stubborn.

I dared to peek at Miles again, watching how he clenched his jaw before his eyes landed on me. A smug grin crept onto his lips. "What about you?"

"What about me?" I asked.

His eyes widened slightly. "Are you seventeen as well?"

"Yes," I said, forcing myself to not cower under his stare.

"And do you like to party?" he continued.

Eliana widened her eyes at me behind his back and I fiddled with my bracelets. "A little?" I answered, making it sound like a question.

"A little," Miles mocked in a shrill voice and let out a chuckle, turning to his sister.

"I'll make you a deal. If Faye wants to go, you can come. If she doesn't show up with you, I'll personally drag you back home," he said to her and started to back out from the room.

I drew in a sharp breath, terrified by suddenly having that kind of leverage. I really didn't want to go to a party with Miles and his friends. They were older and who knows what kind of things they were up to. But I would never hear the end of it from Eliana if I told her no.

"Make good choices, princess." Miles shot at me with a wink before he turned on his heel and left us alone.

"Did that fucker just call you princess?" Eliana blinked her eyes rapidly before shaking her head. "Whatever, I don't care. We're going to a party tonight, bitch! Let's pick out clothes."

I held in a groan and tried to ignore the nervous butterflies in my belly. Because she was my best friend and I would do anything for her, I nodded my head. Maybe Eliana was right, maybe I needed to live a little.

please vote if you liked this chapter ♡

[text_hash] => 950167e9
)